What a better way to celebrate spring than with a pig roast? Vander Mill did just that for their 2nd year in a row, hosting their now annual SOWco De Mayo Spring celebration on their recently opened outdoor deck equipped with a stage for entertainment and of course, plenty of food and cider. As last year, the event was preceded by an underground whole pig burial roasting outside the mill and featured an all-you-can-eat fresh roasted pork taco and sandwich bar.

$15 was the cost of admission to the outside deck which included live music and access to the buffet. 4 specialty ciders were also available including the delicious dry-hopped Mango Citra. This year’s entertainment was provided by the Nashville based duo of Channing and Quinn who have been making the rounds in Michigan and will also be performing at New Holland Brewing Co. on Friday, June 26th. Hopcat in Grand Rapids also hosted their own third annual Vander Mill pig roast out on their patio this year as well.

Can’t get enough of Vander Mill hard cider? The great news for this year is that Vander Mill is in the process of opening an expanded production facility and taproom in the Grand Rapids area. The plans are now in place to allow for boosted production of a million gallons a year of cider or more which will secure Vander Mill’s place among some of the top producing cideries in the nation. Fans of the Spring Lake location need not fear either, as the Spring Lake taproom will remain open and focus primarily on smaller batch specialty cider releases.

Dan VK has been following the Michigan Craft Beer scene since before Oberon has been available in 6-packs. Besides making the rounds at all the local craft breweries and beer bars, Dan also supports the local music scene, reads crime fiction, and enjoys playing volleyball with his wife and friends.